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VIRUS-US-FAUCI
Fauci says he feels liberated to speak on science under Biden
WASHINGTON, Jan 22, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – In his first White House briefing as President Joe
Biden’s top advisor on Covid-19, Anthony Fauci said it was “liberating” that he could
focus on science without fear of repercussion now that Donald Trump had left office.
The top infectious disease scientist was briefing reporters Thursday on the state of the
US outbreak that has claimed more than 408,000 lives.
Asked to compare his experience under the previous administration to the new one, the
80-year-old responded a little coyly at first, saying he wasn’t sure he could
“extrapolate” based on first impressions.
“But one of the things that was very clear as recently as about 15 minutes ago, when I
was with the president, is that one of the things that we’re going to do is to be
completely transparent, open and honest.
“If things go wrong, not point fingers but to correct them and to make everything we do
be based on science and evidence.”
Toward the end of Thursday’s briefing, Fauci was asked by another reporter to expand on
his “jokes” about the differences in the management styles between the two leaders.
“I was very serious about it, I wasn’t joking,” he said, laughing.
“Obviously I don’t want to be going back over history, but it was very clear that there
were things that were said, be it regarding things like hydroxychloroquine and other
things like that — that really was uncomfortable because they were not based on
scientific fact.”
He added he took no pleasure in having to contradict the president and that “it was
really something that you didn’t feel that you could actually say something, and there
wouldn’t be any repercussions about it.”
“The idea that you can get up here and talk about what you know. What the evidence, what
the science is, and know that’s it — let the science speak — it is somewhat of a
liberating feeling.”
Fauci’s honest takes on America’s failures to get to grips with its epidemic brought him
into conflict with Trump, who repeatedly declared premature victory over the virus,
equivocated on mask use and lockdowns, and pushed unfounded miracle cures.
Trump eventually banished the respected scientist from the White House and took to
attacking him on Twitter.
BSS/AFP/MMA/1100HRS